Singing and Dancing? (Pm for entry)

[Oichi]

It was a narrow escape, Oichi was glad she and Sarria had gotten out of there, but she was still worried about the other two. She prayed for their safety and hope they would meet again. Still with things as grim as they were before one would think that Oichi would be sad by the turn of events, but still it was hard for Oichi to be sad when she was standing before the Spoiled Princes, there were so many good memories there. The tavern was well kept. In the front of the tavern there was a huge statue designed in the shape of a young maiden holding a a staff. From the staff flowed the water that lead to a pool were people threw coins in for good luck.

"So we meet again", spoke Oichi as she stood in front of the stature. Oda was resting in the town stable so the maiden was on foot for the moment. The guards had been mobilized with thanks to the warning of bandit activity Oichi had given them. They were making preparations to route the bandits outside of the city, but in the mean time they patrolled the boarders and walls. Still the news of bandit activity in the area did not stop the citizens of the village from having a good time. Musicians, sculptures, and other artist lined the street and people shopped as they pleased. It was a normal day for them and Oichi was a bit happy about it. It would have been a boomer to come to the city with everyone in a panic. She wanted to relive her old memories and to make new ones.

"Yeap Yodo is just the way I left it", spoke Oichi as she looked around a bright smile crossed her face.

[Sarria]

Sarria happily waved to Oichi from among the bazaar. As soon as she had entered the city, she hopped back and forth around the people, watching them, absolutely enthralled. She approached Oichi quickly, wanting to spend some time with her new friend. "Thank you for keeping me safe back there Oichi, I owe you one." She gave Oichi a freshly-bought apple that she had received with some of her spending money. "Everyone is so peaceful and happy here, it's such a different feeling from Etruria, at least. I didn't spend much time there, but nobody here seems to be afraid of who might be watching them. Like those people there." She points at the street musicians playing a peppy tune. "I haven't heard anything besides hymns in so long, I almost forgot there were other songs out there."

She stepped away really quick to get a better look and listen at the street musicians. Her arms swayed back and forth to the music, listening happily. She was glad to be away from that close call with the bandits, and this little moment seemed like it could be proof of what she was looking for. Something out there, away from home, that could make her smile and give her journey purpose. This little song alone was more than she had even hoped for, seeing as her original reason for leaving was just to go somewhere. She wondered how many other places had songs that were this catchy, unlike the boring songs of Etruria. She recalled a few sea shanties from her childhood in the Western Isles, but they were almost a distant memory now.

[Roland "Wolf" Wymond]

Wolf and Leo spotted a village below them. "That must be where those females went," Wolf reasoned. "So, Maelstrom, Leo, you two hungry?"

"Yeah, I'm starving," Leo exclaimed while Maelstrom roared.

"Let's go down to this village then," Wolf responded. Maelstrom descended quickly. After making sure Maelstrom was safe at the stables outside the town, Wolf and Leo sauntered into the town center. They listened to the lively music and watched the dancers and other performers. In the distance, Wolf spotted the female knight from earlier. She had a girl with black hair next to her. Wolf assumed that was the healer. "Come on, Leo, let's introduce ourselves," Wold told his brother as he walked through the crowd towards the pair of females. "Hello, it is good to see both of you are unharmed," Wolf stated as he drew near. "By the way, I'm Wolf and this is my little brother, Leo."

"Hello, miss and miss, nice to meet you," Leo said politely. "My brother is really strong. He took on like a hundred bandits single-handed! Oh, and Maelstrom, his wyvern helped a lot also!"

"Ha ha, Leo, I took down five or six, ten max," Wolf chuckled. "Miss knight, I happened to see some of your fighting when you ran to help your friend. I could tell your a new knight, but you definitely show skill." Wolf smiled as he the band started playing a favorite song of his: "From Illian Snowfields". "Such a beautiful song, reminds me of my homeland," Wolf said half to himself.

[Oichi]

OC: Sorry it took me so long to respond Sarria. I got caught up with school this weekend and monday I had classes.

"Sarria", spoke Oichi as she saw her friend amongst the merchants. She was starting to worry if she did not find her way to the village. There was a considerable gap between her and Oichi after the maiden stopped to take care of some persuaders. Sarria came up to her and gave her thanks, but Oichi bushed it off like it was normal. Still she accepted the apple. She was starting to get a bit hungry after all. The fighting with the bandits had worked up a appetite for the maiden. The apple would serve well to keep it down.

As Oichi nibbled on the apple Sarria began to speak about Etrulia and how everyone felt watched and the lack of free music. Oichi could not bare to say it to Sarria's face, but Etrulia sounded like a terrible place. People should not have to look over their shoulders all the time and music, music should be played freely. Anybody who would deny the beauty of music was a fool. Oichi could not understand what was going throught the Etrulian's head when they made that a law.

"Well I am glad I was born in Bern", spoke Oichi to herself under her breath. For a moment she simply watched Sarria dance to the tune. It was good to have friends. She did not really have anybody around her age to talk too since she left her home village. Most of the time she was talking to men who were probably twice her age and trying to get something out of her.

"Hello, it is good to see both of you are unharmed,", spoke a voice from behind Oichi.

Speak of the devil she thought in her mind as she turned to see the Wyvern rider they had seen before. "Oh it is you", she spoke with surprise. She did not expect to see him again, though it was from a distance. Well it was only logical that they would come to this village. There was no other real place for quite some time.

His brother began to speak about him praising his skill and lifting him up as a great warrior. It was not the first time Oichi had heard such words and she doubted it would be the last. She could not understand it, but every guy off the field of battle would come up to her and boast about their skill. She kind of wondered why they did not bother anybody else. She did not think she was that pretty, well she was pretty she knew that for a fact, but she was not that pretty.

"I am sorry, but I am not really a knight", spoke Oichi as she rubbed the back of her head. Suddenly the musician changed his tune in order to bring in another audience. The sacean song he was playing before brought in a good crowd, but they had given up all the coins they were willing to give for his playing. He needed a new crowd if he wanted to earn some more. Hoping to draw in some customers from ilia the man switched to "From Illian Snowfields". It was a song Oichi knew quite well. Her mother use to sing it when she was a little girl. compelled by music Oichi began to sing. The maiden matched her voice to the music and began to sing the song. With the combination of both the tune and the voice the duo began to draw in a good size crowd of people. Even a few of the other musicians stopped for a moment to catch a glimpse of the melody.

[Sarria]

Sarria waved at the back-up they received on the battlefield, then decided to also courtsie just a tiny bit. "Thanks for the help, guys. I'm Sarria, and she's Oichi. I thought we were gonna be fine at first, but then that other girl ran away to leave us to fend for ourselves, so thank you for coming to our aid." The two men seemed a little out of place on these plains, one of them at least looked much more like a soldier than Oichi did. Either way, she was grateful for the assistance.

Sarria watched Oichi sing along with the new song and smiled, she didn't realize that the young girl had such talent. "A fighter and a singer? You're so cool! All I know how to do is heal." She continued to watch Oichi carefully, listening along with her song happily, pleased at the music and voice working so well together. It made her... want to do something. Move around at least. She was having a hard time just standing still, so she swayed back and forth along with the music, just smiling softly. Gone from her mind was the close run in with bandits and all thoughts of her training in magic. The music wrapped her, pulling her away from reality and into a peaceful place in her mind. It was both invigorating and calming, Sarria had never experienced anything like that before. She could care less about anything besides the music right then in that moment.

[Roland "Wolf" Wymond]

     Wolf continued to listen to the music.  He was going to reply to the female knight, but did not wish to interrupt her singing.  'So she isn't a knight,' Wolf thought to himself.  'I guess she doesn't really seem like a knight, perhaps a performer of some type, like a bard.'  

     "Brother, this music reminds me of home, but I don't think I know of it,"  Leo inquired.  

     "This song is called 'From Illian Snowfields', Leo," Wolf replied.  "You wouldn't remember it, but Mother sang it quite often."  

     Hearing Sarria's thanks, Wolf turned to her, "It's a pleasure to meet you Lady Sarria."

     "Yeah, nice to meet you Miss Sarria,"  Leo added enthusiastically.  

     Wolf continued, "I'm glad you're both safe, but I do hope that other knight got away safely though.  I'll keep an eye out for him on our travels."  Wolf than started to notice the crowd that had started to form around them.  "Leo, how about we give Miss Oichi some space as she sings,"  Wolf told his brother as he stepped back a step or two.  'She must be from Illia,' Wolf thought.  'to be able to sing the song with such passion and emotion.'   

     "She has a nice voice, brother," Leo said as he listened to the song.  

     After the song finished, "You have quite the talent," Wolf complimented but then asked,  "You said you were not a knight, so might you actually be a bard?"  

     "You sing really nice Miss Oichi,"  Leo complimented as well.  

[Oichi]

As the duo of the musician and Oichi finished the song the two of them were greeted with a wave of applause. People began to complement Oichi voice and several other musicians asked her to sing for them. "Umm thank you, but no thanks", she spoke as she waved off the musicians. The maiden turned her attention back to her own little group trying to get away from all the attention. Oichi was use to being praised for her singing, but not in this much. A blush crossed her face as she looked on at Roland and Sarria.

"Thank you Leo", spoke Oichi as she accepted the complement from the riders brother. She then turned her attention to Roland himself and began to answer his question. "Yes that is correct", she spoke. "I am a bard. I was only taught how to fight as self defense. Both of my parents were mercenaries you see and as a result I ended up learning a bit of their trade."

Shifting from herself Oichi turned to Sarria. She did not like talking about herself much. She was not that much a interesting person. She was just a young girl from Bern who could sing. She was no noble, she was no knight, nor was she even a mercenary. In comparison to other people she was just average. She was no different than any other girl you would find in a village, or at least what she thought about herself. "Well Sarria I don't think I am that cool", spoke Oichi. "All I did was get in a cheap shot in that last fight. Anybody else could have pulled that off in the same situation. As for my singing it is mostly practice. I have been singing since I was a little girl so I am bound to have gained some skill by now", spoke the maiden as she rubbed the back of her head.

Oichi took pride in her singing. It was her secret treasure, but she did not want to be boastful about it. Her mother use to tell her the person who bragged the most would be the first to fall. Oichi took her words to heart.

[Sarria]

Sarria cheered and applauded "Well, even so Oichi, practice just means that in the future you really will be that cool." She smiled for her friend, knowing that even if she wasn't great now, anyone could be great with enough practice. She wished that she had a talent she could practice. Healing did require some practice, but it was never really fun to practice, not to mention that she couldn't do it whenever she liked, she actually needed an injured person. She shuddered a little bit at the thought of injuries, and decided to forget it and consider something else.

She looked around the street, wanting to explore the new place. "So... I think I'm going to look around. Did you want to meet up later Oichi? If there's an inn you're going to stay in, we could meet there and talk about if we're going to travel together, I can make a good travelling companion, you know." She giggled to herself. "I don't really have any plans on where to go, but I'll probably just visit any places I can now, I'd like to hear what kinds of music there are out here, it's better than finding bleeding people for a job." She wanted to visit Jewel first, then find out what kinds of things were sold in a village like this. Also, she wanted to talk to the musicians once her companions weren't around, to ask them about the songs. What was it that made her body want to move to the music?

[Roland "Wolf" Wymond]

     Hearing Oichi's confirmation and full answer, Wolf replied, "Aw, that explains it.  A bard that is the daughter of mercenaries.  I'm sure your parents are very proud of you."  Wolf than added, "Well, we don't want to hold up any more of your time.  We just wanted to make sure you got away alright.  So, now Leo and I will go and peruse the rest of the town.  Perhaps we'll see each other again."

     "It was nice meeting you Miss Oichi and Miss Sarria," Leo added politely.  He then turned to Wolf, "Brother, are we going to eat soon cause I'm starving!"  

    "Ha ha ha. Of course Leo," Wolf assured his little brother.  "Good day, Ladies, and good bye for now," Wolf said as he and Leo started to drift into the crowd.  

    Holding onto Leo to make sure he wouldn't get separated from him, Wolf looked around at the different cart merchants and inns, looking for a place for a good meal.  "Perhaps I should have asked Oichi if she could recommend any place to eat since she seemed to be familiar with the town."  As Wolf and Leo neared a tavern called the "Spoiled Princess", they both could smell a delicious scent originating from within.  

    "This place smells good, brother, let's go here," Leo pleaded.  

    "Sure, why not," Wolf answered.  As the two entered and were greeted by a server, Wolf requested a table for two.  The table they got seemed like it could easily accommodate six guests, but also, the other tables didn't seem much smaller.  Inside the tavern, the musicians were playing some Sacaen songs.  As they started a new one, Wolf commented, "Hmm, I actually know this one."

    "Yeah," Leo interjected, "the people at the village we moved to played it a lot."  

    "I can't quite place the name though," Wolf puzzled. 

    "I can," Leo beamed, "It's called Roland's March."

"Oh, that's right," Wolf remembered. "Although, it's somewhat strange that there is a Sacaen song about the Lycian founder; then again, he is still one of the Eight Heroes who saved not just Lycia, but all Elibe, so it does make some sense."

    After talking, they heard their stomachs growl, so they started to look at the menus and wonder what they should get.  

[Oichi]

As Wolf and his brother Leo gave their farewells Oichi could finally give Sarria her full attention. "Well we can meet at the Spoiled Princess later", spoke Oichi. "The tavern is not far from here and is quite known for its music and singing. It is the perfect place", spoke Oichi as she let off a big smile. The maiden mind drifted for a moment back to her fist night she spent there. She thought of the song and the music and the cheering crowd. The tavern had a special meaning to her, and she thought of no better place to spend the night.

"Oh", spoke Oichi as she came back to reality. "As for destinations, I am not completely sure", spoke the maiden as she rubbed the back of her head. "In truth I was just wondering aimlessly across Sacea for a bit. I was looking for somebody when his trail ran cold. We could always go to the Capital of Bern though, I hear their is a magnificent wall there that is suppose to be one of the great manmade wonders. Well I am getting ahead of myself", spoke Oichi as she looked around the crowd. "We can discus that in the tavern. I have a few places I want to visit first", spoke the maiden as she began to walk off. "Lets meet at sun down", she spoke as she vanished into the crowd of people.

Breaking away from Sarria and the others for a moment Oichi began to chase a person. She had seen somebody in the crowd that she knew and the maiden wanted to speak with them. This person was not the most respectable person, but they might have some information about Oichi's father. If she was going to track him down she was going to need all the information she could get. For a while the trail had grown cold, but it seemed that their was a spark of hope. "Excuse me", spoke Oichi as she pushed her way through crowds of people.